The Klunker Experiment - $399 State Klunker Challenge With Hardtail Party

Can you ride a klunker on real mountain bike trails... and still have fun?
Check out Steve's Hardtail Party video introducing the challenge and be sure to follow his channel to see his video of our awesome weekend. Thank you to State Bicycle Co for providing my klunker.
Hardtail Party's intro to the challenge - bit.ly/3sJRXZt
Hardtail Party's build of the klunker - bit.ly/32F2EBZ
Get all your parts for your next bike, or klunker build, from Jenson USA and help support more content like this by using this affiliate link:
Jenson USA - bit.ly/JensonUSA-OSL
Also check out my other partners:
Club Ride - Great Riding apparel that you can wear every day - even in the shop. bit.ly/ClubRide_os Use the discount code oldshovel20 to get 20% off your order at checkout.
Park Tool - Check out and subscribe to their channel at bit.ly/ParkTool-YT-OSL
Spray.Bike - If you are considering repainting a bike you will not regret using Spray.Bike. bit.ly/SprayBike-OSL
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Music from Epidemic Sound bit.ly/30pwbOZ
In Our Hands - by Ten Towers
#HardtailParty
#Klunker
#Oldshovel

[@hardtailparty]

In over 25 years of riding mountain bikes, that was one of my all-time favorite rides. It wouldn't have been the same without you. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to play bikes with us. I can't wait to see what you do to improve this bike.

[@oldshovel]

Thanks Steve. My sentiments are exactly the same. I had so much fun on that klunker I almost don’t want to change it. I feel like I bonded with it. 😁

[@hardtailparty]

@@oldshovel I'm in the exact same boat. Before the ride i had a ton of plans for upgrades. Now I want to do as little as possible.

[@reubenmarcellus3353]

You probably dont care but if you guys are bored like me during the covid times then you can watch pretty much all of the new movies on InstaFlixxer. Been streaming with my brother lately =)

[@kellyjones4238]

Wish my Klunker would have shipped on time. Now it sits in the garage.

[@larkinkelly3754]

I’d do an S&m challenger or profile push stem for street cred otherwise they’re perfect as is

[@crankyzbikeshop1626]

You know what it reminded me of, was riding my bike as a kid to my friends’ houses, collecting whoever was home, and just playing on our bikes all day. Jumping curbs, skidding in gutters, blasting leaf piles. This might be the perfect midlife crisis bike. Glad I could join you guys!

[@oldshovel]

Spot on description. It was so awesome.

[@thebiggerbyte5991]

Great video, as always. Proof that you don't need a $5000 bike with 6 inches of travel at each end to have fun. Many people just bring too much bike to the party. Really looking forward to seeing how you're going to modify it.

[@GokkunGuru]

One of the best bike channels out there. It’s pure, honest and fun to watch.

[@oldshovel]

Awesome thanks

[@Backwater-wanderer]

It’s like they say it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast. Looks like a great time!

[@oldshovel]

Lol perfect comparison

[@emmydianah3324]

*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*

[@byrondot]

Much times we forget that the joy of riding a bike is related with simplicity, and basic stuff. That klunker seems to be a sweet lady! I like to see you having so much fun! Lovely video. Big hug!

[@oldshovel]

Spot on Byron

[@themeatpopsicle]

Everyone that shows up to SSUSA with a coaster brake klunker seems to be having the best time ever

[@jacobburgess681]

Very good idea. a couple of years ago, some friends and I attempted a century ride on a 1950s schwinn tandem and a 1990's Hardrock. It was awesome not just because we were riding bikes that no one in their right mind would take on a century but because we were doing it together and having a great time at it. Keep up the free spirit Rob!

[@oldshovel]

Lol that sounds awesome.

[@2trekkertrek]

This is what biking is all about for me. Doesn't matter what you ride, ride it with a smile. Loving this vid so much, keep it up!

[@greghardy7499]

Your videos bring me so much joy, the way you present and edit is awesome. I love my new full sus mtb but you inspire me to go to my local recovery shop to find old, neglected steel beasts and get them going again.

[@ericmonty]

This is basically reliving the fun all the guys had when mtb was born in the hills of Marin. Love it!

[@25inspector]

Love the simplicity of the Klunker.

[@joseaklx300r6]

First time watching your videos got me hook cuz many ppl can even aford a entry level bike and i can see how honest your review was. And the most important part having fun

[@akatgif]

A front brake would make the descents a lot easier and fun

[@bonsaiphil9924]

This video brought back memories when I flew from the UK with two friends, and our bikes, to go mountain biking in Moab, Utah, in 2000. I'll never forget Slick Rock and Porcupine Ridge. 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️

[@MangoJim90]

Yep!!! I always saw more fun in riding trails on more simple bikes! :) So much more fun !! Thank you so much!!!!👍🙂😍

[@johnford2112]

Just pure trail riding, love it! I need to try that here in AZ. You guys are Awesome!

[@hardtailjefe]

You guys are lucky to have Buddies to ride with like this! Another great Video here as usual thanks!

[@tommyibex2626]

this little series is gonna be soooo good. another great video keep em comin

[@B.A.512]

Awesome! Modification: S.A. XL-FD front hub! Riding A Klunker bike for 6 years on mountainbike races now, love it!

[@oldshovel]

That’s awesome. You are the man!

[@nomadicalex6218]

Looks like so much fun! I remember riding my old trek 800 sport rigid bike on the trails and man was it fun! Great video.

[@Bikeops2021]

Haha, great video. Looks like everyone had some fun which is nice to see happening again. Not a bike we see a lot of in the UK, unfortunately, makes watching these videos more enjoyable. 🇬🇧

[@michaelwhite5834]

There's something really beautiful about this. Love it.

[@camiloherrera7546]

This video just convinced me to buy one of these I need to get back on a bike and this seems like the perfect bike for it thanks for the great video

[@jonlesteroplimo4543]

Sir you looked a lot younger telling us about this story. That is unadulterated joy in your smile. Thanks for infecting us with that

[@trentonmarable4213]

I love the little closing remarks you always make after "ciao"

[@oldshovel]

Awesome thanks

[@chrisoliveira2038]

I had a blast with you, Steve, Tessa, and the rest of the Klunker Crew last weekend! I've already got a few parts to make the State Klunker even more fun on my local trails - keeping the coaster brake! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with at the reunion ride in the fall in Moab. See you then!

[@oldshovel]

Chi’s, it was awesome to get to know you and it was a blast riding last week. Thank you for accepting Steve’s challenge and meeting us out there on the trail. Awesome awesome awesomeness!

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks for making the trek out Chris, it was awesome getting to know you. I can't wait for the next one.

[@GeorgeWhittam]

Come join us in January 2022 for #coastebrakechallenge 27!

[@Henjo29]

These bikes look so awesome! I wish i knew bout them sooner. The Grateful Dead version looks amazing!

[@geemail369]

Great! I love this. Gonna follow the series! Keep it up. 🤙🏻

[@oldshovel]

Awesome

[@thevelostudio7215]

Ha! I love that you used the air compressor trick to put on the grips. If more people knew how to do it air compressor sales would go wild. Thanks for showing how it is done....

[@MaximRecoil]

Isopropyl alcohol is just as easy, and way cheaper than an air compressor. Just wet the inside of the grip with alcohol and it will slide on with ease. In a few minutes the alcohol evaporates and then the grips won't move. Also, use the alcohol on a paper towel to thoroughly clean the ends of the handlebars and the inside of the grips first, because any dirt or oily residue that may be there will make it so the grips always slip and slide around.

[@scottgarber7363]

Appreciate the video. I just bought the same bike with intentions to upgrade a few parts on it. 👍

[@jonmarshall1502]

This is basically what mountain biking should still be all about. Not over priced , over complicated status symbols.

[@jeffdanieltiong9856]

Another awesome video thanks for the video -From Philippines

[@glennpettersson9002]

You, a bike and a trail, it's just that simple 🤘

[@oldshovel]

Exactly

[@BruceChastain]

looks like a lot of fun, and that one steep section im sure is steeper than it looks like in the video.

[@franciscojavierlopezmencha3336]

Saludos desde Zacatecas Mexico felicidades mucho exito brother.

[@chasepalpatine170]

Algorithms just pointed your channel my way, probably from HTParty. Really nice vibe. Thanks for sharing some goodness to the world.

[@allanridesbikes5856]

I remember watching the Gary Fisher documentary and they talked about the coaster brakes being so overheated by the end that it was just a mess of leaking grease. Can't wait to see what new life you can give this Klunker.

[@jasonbold9956]

I have one. “Regal” 5 speed beach cruiser meant for rough terrain! Early Late 70’s early 80’s cruiser with BMX gooseneck and rim brakes and 5 speed! It is solid FUN FUN FUN!

[@merlinthebikewizard4392]

This is awesome! Make bikes fun and cheap again!

[@josef.david.mushpile]

Can't wait to see how you modify it!

[@stuckinthepast5537]

Love your videos.

[@sharkosyt8613]

Awesome idea

[@IsraelMagalit]

Awesome. Looks like a hoot!

[@akkdm1]

Thanks for making me look so good! I was nice to “see you again, old friend”. And I’m throwing my hat in the ring for Moab now!

[@oldshovel]

Dido. It was awesome fun.

[@boneal4942]

Looks like some Good Times for sure!👍

[@jny78]

I love your youthful spirit!

[@TheCaptainsCog]

Running your bars super Chicago style!!!

[@98Kentuckian]

i feel like with at least a handbrake this experience would be 100 times less terrifying 😂

[@bradsanders6954]

Gearing,ft and rr brakes,suspension,way lighter weight,better geometry,...........and yup you'd be loving life. I raced 26" wheel Schwinns as a kid. I know just what it's like....now I have a 2021 Intense Sniper at 24lbs....its way fun.

[@tonystone3397]

Great stuff.

[@seandan68]

LOVE MY 81'KLUNKER!!

[@j_roq7112]

Any bike that gives you that much pleasure is priceless

[@brandonlewis2916]

My first mountain bike trail I rode on my bmx bike. It was a blast!!

[@bikermonster8354]

What a great video and to ride with Klunkerbikes are awesome. Here in germany, we got a lot of cool trails. Maybe a look after a oldcruiser to transform it to a Klunker. Really great video. Stay well and best regards from germany. ✌😃👍🚲

[@oldshovel]

Awesome thanks

[@gr8fulride]

fun fun! I have the Klunker bug too. built up a nice beach cruiser fatty. it was a blast. put some mechanical disc brakes as that was all the lbs had, and stripped off all the useless garbage. still weighed 38 lbs so I donated it to a dude that collects beach cruisers. will try again some day.

[@oldshovel]

Lol on the weigh. I was surprised these weighed in around 32 lbs, I was expecting more.

[@oscarcaruso204]

Cycling is life !

[@geoffreymccormack2090]

I'm 50 and in the UK we had the Raleigh bomber , grifter and chopper. All were used off road and on BMX tracks. Totally unsuitable but mega fun.

[@AstroVanTribe]

I've always ridden Klunkers, everywhere, and still do :D

[@rogerbagley791]

Just shows that you don't have to spend thousands on a full sus to have fun on trails. It's why I've done a ( modern) ss rigid build.. Just for better sketchy bits and giggles. Great film. Look forward to the mods..Keep it going🤘

[@oldshovel]

Exactly

[@maskedmotorsdiy3575]

The OG mountain bike still brings the fun.

[@oldshovel]

Exactly. I need to go repack my hubs for the next ride.

[@Rob.Robin82]

What a beautiful country, I would like to go mountain biking there. i hope one day i come to america.

[@allterrainvideo]

Well shot video! Can’t wait for my Klunker to arrive tomorrow. Where is the drone footage?

[@waterboxer87]

The klunker is cycling in its most basic form----so much fun!

[@oldshovel]

Exactly. It was awesome fun to experience the history.

[@ShiningTrapezoid]

Reminds me of when I was 13 and shredding on my dad's old Schwinn Stingray resurrected from the garage. I miss that bike. I don't think I miss the coaster brake all that much, though 🤙

[@Incorruptus1]

O.o hmmm... That is classically heroic! I llllllllike it!

[@gerryedwards9738]

Can I have that bike when you've finished with it? I'll cover the postage to the UK, no worries. I love it! Great idea! Keep it up!

[@bobjoncas2814]

...looks like fun was had by all, stay safe...

[@oldshovel]

Thanks Bob

[@devildoglcpl]

This brings me back. I had an old schwinn I made into a clunker back in the day. My friend is a State dealer. I'm thinking bout getting one. He doesn't know much about blinkers or BMX, so he could not tell me, on the seat stay, is the spacing from the cross member (where a set of side pull would go) modern or would I need a pair of those extra long cruiser brakes?

[@acetylcholine3]

It took me a hot minute to figure out the brakes, i thought you were riding fixed until that downhill! Nice!

[@oldshovel]

Lol yah, coaster brakes. Super sketchy, but fun.

[@turntablized]

I was born in 81 and my first and all of my collegues "all terrain bike" was Romet Wigry 3" i broke 3 of them every time the frame snap on the folding hinge wich as far as i know no one never used any way. So i guess that was one of the earlierst implementation of not a bug it's a feature technology.

[@assidoni]

Hey, Guys. Have a nice weekend

[@hanswalter7543]

dito

[@lukesteele5013]

I will thank you

[@Clintsilver94gt]

You need to do a collaboration with the lawn rebel in Utah. His last vid mentioned he didn’t have a mountain bike. He would be perfect for a 90’s bike with an 80’s paint job!!!

[@rubendevereaux6086]

That was like the old pictures of Gary Fisher when he was experimenting with his mountain bikes

[@Vitusvonatzinger]

My first trail riding before BMX bikes became the standard was on a Newsboy-style Klunk. That’s what we rode.

[@rainbowhiker]

Wish I was on trail now.

[@seansims8805]

There are levels and methods to having fun and I like em all too...way to rock it back to the days I started ...we just rode fixed on the fly...had gas stations or some adult would let you borrow a wrench alot...but we rode to the wheels were off or flat . Streets and play fields loads of short trails and I had the bmx thing going too.. we road around for hours doing Endo kick outs to thrash garbage cans and such. BMX plus and BMX action mag days days ...I'm just a few years younger than the 1st wave , they were my heros ..Mike Buff , RL , Stew T and the Brother who races for CW cànt remember his name ...dudes were built a powerful..you had to break stuff or flat fly to be the best...DIA COMP destruction days...the Seattle green belts and suburbs were pretty dreamy ride spots back in the 80's and 90's ...b4 mass rural development. Motor bikes and Equestrians were out too...

[@icarolima5763]

A huggie from Brazil!

[@PariahSojourner]

30 years ago I had an old 1960 Rollfast cruiser frame that I found buried in the back of an old bicycle store an acquaintance bought. I built that thing up to be a "klunker," and bombed down many a local trail on it before the bike was run over by a car and destroyed about 10 years ago.

[@oldshovel]

Bummer on the bike getting destroyed. Klunkers are awesome.

[@gregstrabala8607]

I’m thinking about getting the state klunker, or building one, did you guys do the upgrades or personalize them yet?

[@guillaumepelletier6440]

Très sympa ce genre de vélo

[@bikingviking6688]

J.E.M. trail would make ANY bike fun! One of the best, flowiest tracks anywhere. And when you get to the bottom, blazing a couple of feet from certain death above the Virgin River...😱 adrenalin overload!

[@oldshovel]

It was a great trail for the klunkers.

[@iamlyam79]

True spirit of Klunkin'

[@oldshovel]

It was so fun. I can’t wait to do another klunker ride, I have to repack my hubs first. 😉

[@adventuresofhunter]

4:54 this cat is literally me, outfit and all. watching this to see if i should buy the corona klunker since its on sale.. wanted a klunker when they were first released but the sale price is very tempting. ok I'm buying it lol

[@Sc-dn8dp]

Why can’t you. Before suspension me and my friends road similar trails and power lines in the 80s. Was never even a thought if we could or not. We just did it. I had a 20” Ross with yellow plastic mags. Awesome vid!

[@oldshovel]

Awesome

[@HeinzMorillo]

Hi based on experience. You don't have to pour water on the coaster hub when it is over heating. You just have to cool it down, may be a little spit of water but not to many cos it will dry the grease on the hub. Then repack it when you get home. 🙂

[@adamgroves2811]

While videos of guys doing massive hucks and endless manuals are impressive, this really makes me want to get out and ride.

[@pokeypaul78]

I can't wait to see what you do with this one. Also a comparison with your other clunker would be interesting. On a totally different topic, are you still selling hats or even the old shovel patches to make our own? Maybe ClubRide could throw one in my next order.

[@oldshovel]

I’m a slacker on setting up my website to sell hats and stuff. I spend all my spare time in the garage.

[@pokeypaul78]

Get ClubRide to do it for you when we use your code.

[@thiccvicx]

Do you use electrical tape for your tubeless setups or is it a special kind? Thanks a lot for the amazing content!

[@mackturtle82]

coaster brakes can be modified heavily to work better. I'm looking forward to see what you do with yours.

[@josegarcia-vl5nr]

Dope!

[@bluehimp1348]

That's cool I took a 1995 giant iguana and made it a single speed rear brakes only riser bars made it a modern day clunker 😁

[@AgentAlmost]

Right at the beginning I thought that the only thing really wrong with it for that type of trail is the coaster brake either fading or locking during steep descents and sure enough. Did the bike at the end start behaving again once cooled down?

[@frankcastle3827]

You should get front shocks for your beach cruiser

[@117Hams]

Me and my friends all take our BMX bikes on mtb trails lol, not smooth, but very fun

[@nickmassey9104]

Great lil video .Brakes and maybe a 3 speed rear hub 🤔

[@oldshovel]

I’m considering a paddle actuated 3 speed. Could be fun and crazy at the same time.

[@underbikedoverconfident1142]

Ha! This was an awesome idea!

[@michaelriley3707]

That looks way to fun. Kind of sketchy though!!

[@TheRealD4]

4:57 "Dave darling you're so money supermarket"

[@dazzasp3]

Nice 👍